Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for operating a communication device, comprising: monitoring, by the processor, states of snap-dome based switches of a keypad provided with the communication device; activating, by the processor, a first timer when the snap-dome based switches are simultaneously activated; detecting, by the processor, when maintenance of the communication device is needed based on a value of the first timer; and causing, by the processor, performance of communication device maintenance based on the detecting.
A communication device includes a keypad with snap-dome based switches, which are mechanical switches that provide tactile feedback when pressed. These switches can degrade over time due to wear, leading to reduced responsiveness or failure. The invention addresses the need for proactive maintenance by monitoring the state of these switches. A processor continuously tracks whether the switches are activated. If multiple switches are pressed simultaneously, a timer is triggered. The timer measures the duration of this simultaneous activation. If the timer reaches a predefined threshold, it indicates potential wear or malfunction, prompting the device to initiate maintenance procedures. These procedures may include cleaning, calibration, or replacement of the switches. The system ensures reliable keypad performance by detecting and addressing issues before they cause significant operational disruptions. This approach improves device longevity and user experience by preventing failures through early intervention.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first timer comprises a clock for tracking an amount of time in which the communication device is immersed in water at given depths during a single immersion event or during a plurality of consecutive immersion events.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a detection is made that the maintenance is needed when the value of the first timer is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the threshold value being selected in accordance with a maximum amount of time at least one pressure sensitive component of the communication device can be immersed in water at given depths without experiencing fatigue, failure or erasure.
This invention relates to a method for determining when maintenance is required for a communication device, particularly when the device has been exposed to water immersion. The method involves monitoring a first timer that tracks the duration of water immersion events. When the accumulated time from these events reaches or exceeds a predefined threshold, the system detects that maintenance is needed. The threshold is set based on the maximum safe immersion duration for at least one pressure-sensitive component of the device, considering the depth of immersion to account for varying water pressure effects. This ensures that the component does not experience fatigue, failure, or data erasure due to prolonged exposure. The method helps prevent damage by triggering maintenance before the component's operational limits are exceeded, extending the device's lifespan and reliability. The system may also include a second timer to track the time elapsed since the last maintenance, ensuring periodic checks even if immersion events are infrequent. The invention is particularly useful for water-resistant communication devices, such as smartphones or wearables, where water exposure is common but can degrade components over time.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising transitioning the communication device from a non-dive mode in which dive timing operations of the communication device are disabled to the dive mode in which dive timing operations of the communication device are to be enabled.
5. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising activating a second timer in response to said transitioning.
A method for managing system operations involves monitoring a device to detect a transition from an active state to an idle state. Upon detecting this transition, a first timer is activated to measure a duration of the idle state. If the device remains in the idle state for a predetermined period, a power-saving mode is initiated to reduce energy consumption. Additionally, a second timer is activated in response to the transition to the idle state, which may be used to further control system behavior, such as delaying or triggering additional actions based on the elapsed time. The method ensures efficient power management by dynamically adjusting system states based on activity levels, preventing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining responsiveness when needed. The technique is particularly useful in portable or battery-powered devices where energy efficiency is critical. The second timer may be used to implement time-based policies, such as periodic checks or delayed shutdowns, enhancing flexibility in power management strategies.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the first timer comprises a clock for tracking an amount of time in which the communication device is immersed in water at given depths, and the second timer comprises a clock for tracking an amount of time in which the communication device is in the dive mode.
7. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising: deactivating the first timer when the snap-dome based switches are no longer simultaneously activated; and deactivating the second timer when the communication device is transitioned from the dive mode.
8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising resetting the first and second timers when the communication device maintenance has been performed.
9. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the first timer is activated when the communication device is in the dive mode and the snap-dome based switches are simultaneously activated.
10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising deactivating the first timer when the snap-dome based switches are no longer simultaneously activated.
11. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising re-setting the first timer when the communication device maintenance has been performed.
12. A communication device, comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to implement a method for operating a communication device, wherein the programming instructions comprise instructions to: monitor states of snap-dome based switches of a keypad provided with the communication device; activate a first timer when the snap-dome based switches are simultaneously activated; detect when maintenance of the communication device is needed based on a value of the first timer; and cause performance of communication device maintenance based on the detecting.
13. The communication device according to claim 12 , wherein the first timer comprises a clock for tracking an amount of time in which the communication device is immersed in water at given depths during a single immersion event or during a plurality of consecutive immersion events.
14. The communication device according to claim 12 , wherein a detection is made that the maintenance is needed when the value of the first timer is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the threshold value being selected in accordance with a maximum amount of time at least one pressure sensitive component of the communication device can be immersed in water at given depths without experiencing fatigue, failure or erasure.
15. The communication device according to claim 12 , wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to transition the communication device from a non-dive mode in which dive timing operations of the communication device are disabled to the dive mode in which dive timing operations of the communication device are to be enabled.
16. The communication device according to claim 15 , wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to activate a second timer in response to said transitioning.
A communication device is designed to manage power consumption and network connectivity in wireless communication systems. The device includes a processor and a memory storing programming instructions that, when executed, enable the device to transition between different operational states, such as active and low-power modes, to conserve energy while maintaining network connectivity. The device monitors network conditions and user activity to determine when to switch between these states. When a transition occurs, the device activates a second timer to control the duration of the new state, ensuring efficient power usage and timely reversion to an active state when needed. This mechanism helps balance power savings with the need for continuous or periodic network access, improving battery life without compromising communication reliability. The second timer can be configured based on predefined thresholds, dynamic conditions, or user preferences, allowing flexible adaptation to varying usage scenarios. The device may also include additional features, such as signal strength monitoring and adaptive power management, to further optimize performance. This approach is particularly useful in mobile devices, IoT sensors, and other battery-powered wireless systems where energy efficiency is critical.
17. The communication device according to claim 16 , wherein the first timer comprises a clock for tracking an amount of time in which the communication device is immersed in water at given depths, and the second timer comprises a clock for tracking an amount of time in which the communication device is in the dive mode.
18. The communication device according to claim 16 , wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to: deactivate the first timer when the snap-dome based switches are no longer simultaneously activated; and deactivate the second timer when the communication device is transitioned from the dive mode.
19. The communication device according to claim 18 , wherein the first and second timers are reset when the communication device maintenance has been performed.
20. The communication device according to claim 15 , wherein the first timer is activated when the communication device is in the dive mode and the snap-dome based switches are simultaneously activated.
21. The communication device according to claim 12 , wherein the programming instructions further cause the processor to deactivate the first timer when the snap-dome based switches are no longer simultaneously activated.
22. The communication device according to claim 12 , wherein the first timer is reset when the communication device maintenance has been performed.
A communication device includes a first timer that monitors the operational state of the device. The timer is reset when maintenance is performed, ensuring accurate tracking of device performance over time. The device also includes a second timer that measures the duration of a communication session, allowing for monitoring of active communication periods. A control unit manages these timers and can trigger maintenance or alerts based on their values. The device further includes a storage unit for recording timer data and a communication unit for transmitting this data to a remote server. The system ensures proper maintenance scheduling and performance monitoring by resetting the first timer after maintenance, preventing incorrect tracking of device uptime. This helps maintain device reliability and reduces downtime by ensuring timely maintenance. The invention is particularly useful in industrial or networked environments where continuous operation and predictive maintenance are critical.
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February 16, 2021
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